COME, O PRINCE OF PEACE HOLY COMMUNION Third Sunday in Advent Vivaldi Magnificat; Healing prayers One more powerful is coming, baptizing with fire Sunday, December 16, 2018 10:30 am Choral Eucharist Exploring the promise of God for all The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week. Christ gathers wheat into the barn of heaven The presence of the Lord in your midst in the wonder of the holy supper is cause for singing. The nearness of the Lord in prayer, in every circumstance, is cause for rejoicing. The coming of one more powerful than John, even with his winnowing fork in his hand, is good news and cause for exultation for us who are being saved. Great joy is the tone for the third Sunday of Advent. GATHERING PRELUDE Savior of the Nations, Come (BWV 659) - 1 - Johann Sebastian Bach The carillon calls the assembly to worship. At the sound of the bell the assembly stands to face the worship leaders at the back of the church. PRAYER UNDER ADVENT WREATH A Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. a Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven! A I will hear what the Lord God has to say a a voice that speaks for peace. A Peace for all faithful people a and those who turn to God. A God s help is near. a May God s glory dwell in our land. A Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. a Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven! P We praise you, O God, for this victory wreath that marks our days of preparation for Christ s advent. In this third week of waiting, strengthen our hearts as we await the Lord s coming in glory. Enlighten us with your grace, that we may serve our neighbors in need. Grant this through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose day draws near. a Amen. PROCESSIONAL HYMN Comfort, Comfort, Now My People (see page 2)
GREETING AND PRAYER OF THE DAY P From the One who was, and who is, and who is to come: Grace and peace be with you all. a And also with you. P Let us pray. Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the preaching of John, that, rejoicing in your salvation, we may bring forth the fruits of repentance; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. a Amen. The presider continues with words of welcome. God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song. WORD CHILDREN S WORD Children are invited to gather under the advent wreath; parents are welcome to come with their children. - 2 -
The prophet Zephaniah s message is mostly one of judgment for sin. This reading, however, which comes from the conclusion of the book, prophesies joy for Judah and Jerusalem. Judgment has led to repentance, and God s salvation is at hand. READING Rejoice, the LORD is in your midst Zephaniah 3:14-20 a Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. 16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. 17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing 18 as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. 19 I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20 At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD. Word of God, come down to us. Thanks be to God. SECOND READING Rejoice, the Lord is near Philippians 4:4-7 Despite being in prison, Paul is remarkably upbeat as he writes this letter. Here, he urges his friends in Philippi to trust God with all their worries and concerns, with the hope they will experience God s joy and peace. Paul writes to the church at Philippi: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Word of God, come down to us. a Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Matthew 11:10 The assembly stands and welcomes the gospel: c I am sending my messenger before you, who will prepare your way. GOSPEL Luke 3:7-18 One more powerful is coming, baptizing with fire The holy gospel according to Luke. a Glory to you, O Lord. - 3 -
John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our ancestor ; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 10 And the crowds asked him, What then should we do? 11 In reply he said to them, Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise. 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, Teacher, what should we do? 13 He said to them, Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you. 14 Soldiers also asked him, And we, what should we do? He said to them, Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages. John the Baptist heralds the mighty one who is coming. John teaches that preparation for God s reign is not a matter of identity but of bearing fruits of merciful justice, radical generosity, and vocational integrity. The Word in Song Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was the most influential Italian composer of his generation. He was ordained as a priest in 1703 and was appointed to Pio Ospedale della Pietà, an institution in Venice devoted to the care of orphaned, abandoned and indigent girls. Vivaldi s setting of the Magnificat with text from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, is a choral jewel. Originally composed between 1713 and 1717, Vivaldi later created a second version modifying some of the choral parts. The version presented in today s worship service is another version which Vivaldi completed in 1739. For this version, Vivaldi rewrote several sections to highlight the vocal technique and virtuosity of five brilliant pupils of the Ospedale. Vivaldi s score is full of word painting-nuances of textual meaning shown through musical motives. For example, in the solo Et exaltavit spiritus meus (and my spirit rejoices) Vivaldi employs an exhuberant solo line with trills and a series of quick notes on one syllable. In the et misericordia section (and his mercy is on those who fear him) one can feel God s love 15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. 18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. The gospel of the Lord. a Praise to you, O Christ. MAGNIFICAT Magnificat anima mea Dominum. Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo. - 4 - My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Antonio Vivaldi Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae. For He has regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent Behold from henceforth, I will be called blessed omnes generationes. By all generations. Quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius. Et misericordia a progenie in progenies, timentibus eum. Fecit potentiam in bracchio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. Deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles. Esurientes implevit bonis, et divites dimisit inanes. Suscepit Israel puerum suum recordatus misericordie suae. For the mighty one has done great things for me, And holy is his name. His mercy is for them that fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm, He has scattered The proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones And lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel In remembrance of His mercy.
in the repeated notes of the strings and the intervals of the voices. Timentibus (those who fear) is coupled with descending half steps which provide a feeling of lurking and fear. In Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles (He has deposed the proud from their seats and exalted the humble) Vivaldi uses a highly original technique of unison singing and playing and employs an ascending motive on the first part of the word exaltavit to give the effect of raising up. When he comes to the word humiles (the humble) the rhythm changes from 3 to 2 which indicates that indeed the world has been turned upside down and that things have changed. Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini eius in saecula. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio et nunc et in saecula saeculorum, Amen. According to the promise He made to our ancestors, To Abraham and to His descendants forever. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, Is now, and forever and ever. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Prayer requests may be recorded in the book of prayer concerns in the great room prayer niche. Each petition concludes: Come Lord Jesus, a hear our prayer. MEAL PEACE P The peace of Christ be with you always. a And also with you. The assembly is invited to share God s peace with one another. God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ. GATHERING OF GIFTS The offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. During this time, the table is set. After the offering is gathered, bread, wine, money, and other gifts are brought forward. The assembly stands as the procession reaches the chancel. Variations on Savior of the Nations, Come Offertory Prayer A Let us pray together. a We proclaim your greatness, O Lord. You have filled us with good things. Now remember your promise of mercy. Feed us with your love, that our lives may reveal your light; in Jesus name we pray. Amen. The assisting minister pours out the wine. GREAT THANKSGIVING P The Lord be with you. a And also with you. P Lift up your hearts. a We lift them to the Lord. P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. a It is right to give our thanks and praise. P we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Anton Heiler - 5 -
The presider continues with the Great Thanksgiving, concluding: Lord s Prayer (1975) a Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. All who come seeking Jesus are invited to receive these gifts of God. Communion at this service is served standing. Please follow the directions of the ushers to a communion station. Grape juice and gluten-free bread are available upon request. The benefits of the sacrament are fully present in either the bread or the wine, should health reasons prevent you from receiving one of them. Children are welcome to receive communion or a blessing. Prayer at the chancel kneelers during communion is always welcomed. Breaking of the Bread and Invitation to Communion Communion Lamb of God Meditation on the Tune Suo Gan silence for reflection concludes the Communion Prayer after Communion A Let us pray. God for whom we wait, you come to us in the broken bread and the cup we share. Make us ready always to welcome Christ into our lives, and send us forth to be your people in the world, announcing your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord. a Amen. Welsh, arr. Sedio - 6 -
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. SENDING BLESSING P May Christ, the Sun of righteousness, shine upon you and scatter the darkness from your path. Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever a Amen. SENDING HYMN (hymn) 263 Savior of the Nations, Come stanza 1 all; 2 higher voices; 3 choir (setting by Johann Crüger); 4 lower voices; 5 omit; 6 - all DISMISSAL A Go in peace. Prepare the way. a Thanks be to God. Following worship coffee is served in the great room. Brief sanctuary tours will be offered after this service. Meet a docent at the pulpit. The carillon sends the assembly into mission. POSTLUDE Savior of the Nations, Come (BWV 661) Johann Sebastian Bach Portions of the liturgy are from Sundays and Seasons.com 2018 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress liturgies license #26515. SERVING TODAY Chancel flowers this weekend are given by Janice and Mark Peterson in celebration of their son Ben s 18 th birthday on December 18. If you wish to donate flowers, contact Judy Korogi 10 days in advance at 612-788-1288. This service is being streamed live on the internet at www.centralmpls.org. Pastor Stephanie Friesen Cathy Egan Ann Oyen Sara Gunsch Deacon Mark Sedio Jane Lien Central Froya Olson, Briana Ekstrom, Robin Helgen Barb Savereide, Kerri Fabyanske, Janelle Lanz Stephanie Swearingen, Sharon Munkwitz, Ann Sorensen Justin Carlson, Zach Armstrong LeeAnn Thommes Stuart Ronkainen Pastor Melissa Pohlman, Pastor Peter Nycklemoe Matt & Megan Bowman, Holy Communion workshop Marie Wiegert Mark Kieffer, Marc Wilson Varney Kiazolu Pastor D. Foy Christopherson Judith Hedman Karla & Charles Moline, Jeff Ingvall presiding assisting minister reader crucifer cantor/organist associate cantor choir soloists violin I violin II viola I cello bass communion ministers presenting the gifts, bread bakers healing prayers sound operators lead usher for December liturgy director docent hosts & greeters - 7 -
WELCOME TO CENTRAL Everyone is welcome. As a community of the people of God, the members of Central Lutheran Church are called to welcome all people regardless of age, economic status, ethnic background, gender, physical or mental ability, race or sexual orientation. We affirm that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male or female (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. Guests are welcome. We are pleased you are worshiping with us today. We invite guests to complete the Welcome to Central card found in the pew racks and leave it with an usher or place it in the offering plate. If you would like more information about Central, please contact us at 612-870-4416, or email info@centralmpls.org. Children are welcome at all services. Worship bulletins for children and activity bags are available at Sanctuary entrances. A nursery may be found near the welcome desk. Nursery staff are provided Sunday mornings. Welcome to the Lord s Table. All who come seeking Jesus are welcome at Holy Communion. Please follow the guidance of the ushers and instructions in the order of service. During communion, ministers will bring bread and wine to persons in designated access seating areas. Communion may be received in one kind (only bread or only wine) from any station if wheat bread or alcohol presents a health concern. Gluten-free breads and alcohol-free wine are available by request at most liturgies from most communion stations. Welcome to the Holy Baptism. All who come seeking Jesus are welcome to receive Holy Baptism. Please visit with any worship leader, staff member, hospitality volunteer, contact the church office, or complete an information card, indicating that you wish to be baptized. A pastor will contact you. JOIN US for Christmas Worship Monday, December 24 3:00 pm Twilight Service of Blessing and Carols 10:30 pm Candlelight Holy Communion Tuesday, December 25 10:00 am Contemplative Holy Communion with Carols Saturday-Sunday, December 29-30 Holy Communion 5:00 pm Saturday; 10:00 am Sunday Friends of Central Stay connected. Across the country and beyond there are many people who have a soft spot in their heart for Central Lutheran Church people who feel a connection both to the history and the ongoing mission of this congregation. If you re one of them, we invite you to join a network of Friends of Central. Pick up a brochure or visit our website for more information or to join. Electronic Giving Opportunities: Online at www.centralmpls.org click on Give Today; or text 73256, enter code word centralmpls (lower case), and a numerical amount. Press send and fill in the details. All contributions from members and guests will appear in a contribution statement. Wi-Fi is available as Central Lutheran (password guestclc). If you give electronically, use the green pew card to drop in the offering plate instead of an envelope. Central Lutheran is supported by givers like you. Questions? Contact the church office at 612-870-4416. Large print service folders, assisted listening devices, and access seating are available to aid your participation in worship. Please inquire with an usher. - 8 -